• Falling For You • |A JongSang love story|

18 - Mother's Wisdom

Jongho hadn't visited his mother in far too long, and as he drove up the winding road to her house, he felt a pang of guilt for how much time had passed. His mother's home was nestled in a quiet, suburban neighborhood, far removed from the hustle of the city. It was a place filled with warmth, fond memories, and—perhaps most importantly—a sense of love that had always contrasted with the cold, strict upbringing his father had enforced.

As soon as Jongho stepped through the door, the smell of something delicious hit him, reminding him of how much he missed home-cooked meals. His mother appeared in the doorway, her face lighting up the moment she saw him.

"Jongho!" she exclaimed, rushing over to pull him into a tight hug. "It's been too long. I was starting to think you forgot about your poor old mother."

Jongho chuckled, hugging her back. "I know, Mom. I'm sorry. Things have been busy at work."

She stepped back, giving him a playful glare. "That's no excuse. You know better than to let work take over your life." She smiled warmly and patted his cheek. "But I'm happy you're here now. Come on, sit down. I've been making your favorite."

Jongho followed her into the cozy kitchen, where she had already set the table. The familiar scent of a home-cooked meal made him feel more at ease than he had in days. As they sat down together, his mother's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"So, tell me what's going on," she said, picking up her fork. "I can tell there's something on your mind."

Jongho hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to begin. His mother had always been someone he could talk to about anything, but this was different. He hadn't planned on telling her about Yeosang—at least not today—but now that he was sitting here, the words were on the tip of his tongue.

"I... there's someone," Jongho said slowly, his voice unsure.

His mother's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh? A woman? Well, as a woman, I can tell you what we like the most—"

"Actually," Jongho interrupted, feeling his face heat up with nerves. "It's... not a woman, Mom. It's a man."

His mother blinked, her fork paused mid-air as she processed the news. For a moment, Jongho worried that she might be upset or confused, but then she set her fork down and broke into a soft giggle.

"Oh, Jongho," she said, shaking her head with amusement. "Why didn't you say so from the start?" Her expression softened, and she leaned forward, smiling mischievously. "So, tell me—this man you're interested in... is he more feminine?"

Jongho nodded, feeling slightly relieved by her easy acceptance. "Yeah. He's... gentle, shy, and really sweet. I don't know how to explain it, but he's different from anyone I've ever met."

His mother smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling with affection. "He sounds like a lovely person. I don't know exactly how to advise you on this, since I'm not a man, but if he's anything like you say, I think you just need to be yourself." She reached across the table, taking Jongho's hand in hers. "You're a good man, Jongho. I raised you to be kind, respectful, and considerate. Show him that side of you—the side that I know is there."

Jongho felt a swell of emotion at her words, and for a moment, he was transported back to all the sweet memories they shared—the times when his mother would hug him tightly after his father had yelled at him, or when she'd encourage him to be better, not for anyone else, but for himself.

"Thanks, Mom," Jongho said quietly, his voice thick with gratitude. "I'll take your advice."

His mother smiled and leaned back in her chair, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Good. But I swear, Jongho, if I hear that you're treating him like your father treated me, I won't hesitate to flick you in the ear."

She reached over and did just that—flicking his ear with a swift, playful motion that made Jongho wince in mock pain.

"Ow! Okay, okay, I get it," Jongho said, rubbing his ear with a small smile. "I'll be better. I promise."

"Good," she said with a satisfied nod. Then, her smile turned more serious. "And I want to meet this Yeosang soon. You can't keep him a secret forever."

Jongho chuckled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "I'll bring him by soon, Mom. I promise."

As they finished their meal and settled into more casual conversation, Jongho couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. His mother had always known how to bring out the best in him, and now, with her advice in mind, he felt ready to approach Yeosang in a way that was genuine and true to who he really was.

Love didn't have to be complicated. Maybe all it took was being the man his mother had raised him to be.